Eleanor Elizabeth Dobbs Crawford (Mimi),

Mrs. Eleanor Elizabeth Dobbs Crawford (Mimi), age 95, of Gainesville , GA , passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at the Oaks at Limestone following an extended illness.

A Services will be held 2:00 pm, Friday, April 15, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church, Gainesville , Georgia . Family will receive friends following the service.

Mrs. Crawford was born in Bevier, Kentucky and was the daughter of the late Richard and Martha Fleming Dobbs. She grew up in Harrisburg , Illinois and attended school and worked in the area until she married the late John Lynn Crawford on June 16, 1942 at the First Methodist Church in Corpus Christi , Texas where John was stationed in the Navy. Following John's discharge from the Navy in September of 1945, she and her family lived in Centralia and Fairfield , Illinois until 1957 when they relocated to Gainesville , Georgia where John worked as Comptroller for Jesse Jewell Poultry Company and Mar Jac Poultry.

In the early 1960's Eleanor worked for Sawyer Advertising Company. In 1965 Eleanor was hired as the first employee for Gainesville Jr. College (now known as Gainesville State College). She worked as the Assistant to the Charter President of the College, Dr. Hugh Mills until her retirement in May of 1981. Following her retirement, Eleanor went to work for Cartoonist Ed Dodd, assisting Mr. Dodd in writing a novel. After Mr. Dodd's death Eleanor continued to work for his widow, Rosemary Wood Dodd.

In 1988 Eleanor was the Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award given by the Gainesville Alumni Association and in 1989 the "Eleanor Crawford Staff Recognition Award" was established at Gainesville State College in her honor. This award is presented annually to an employee of the college who meets the established criteria of extraordinary loyalty, dedication and service.

Eleanor was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville. She was an active member of the Pilot Club International and the Women of Gainesville State College
Organization.

Eleanor was also a volunteer at Northeast Georgia Medical Center for a number of years.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, Sherman A. Dobbs and a nephew, Richard Brian Dobbs.

Eleanor lived her life with love, grace, dedication and true determination. Her radiant smile won her many friends of all ages.

She is survived by her four children, daughters, Marty Mulkey (Fred), Gainesville , Georgia ; Marynell Crawford, Augusta , Georgia ; Jane Crawford, Atlanta , Georgia ; and her son, Max E. Crawford, II (Jeanne). Four grandchildren, Erin Lynn Taylor (Ritchie), John L. Crawford, II, Max E. Crawford, III, and Anna R. Crawford. Two special great-grandchildren, Riley and Brady Taylor and numerous nieces, nephews and many special friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Oaks at Limestone for their love and support, as well as all of the very special friends who visited Eleanor frequently.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests planting a tree in Eleanor's memory in your garden. Donations may be made to the Webster Library at First Presbyterian Church, Gainesville , Georgia , Gainesville State College, "Eleanor Crawford Staff Recognition Award" or The Oaks at Limestone Resident Activity Fund in c/o Beverly Wilson, Activity Director.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville , GA 30501 . 770-297-6200 or for online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com